Environmental

Question 1

Which legislation sets the target of sets target to reduce carbon emissions to 80% by 2050?

Answer 1

The Climate Change Act 2008

Question 2

Which building regulation covers conservation of fuel and power?

Answer 2

Building Regulation part L

Question 3

How many parts are there to building regs part L

Answer 3

4

Question 4

What are the subcatogories for building regs part L?

Answer 4

L1a- New dwellings
L1B- Exisiting dwellings
L2a- New buildings other than dwellings
L2b- Existing buildings other than dwellings

Question 5

Can you name 2 key points of building regs part L?

Answer 5

1) The designed carbon emission rate (known as the Dwelling Emission Rate or DER) for selfcontained dwellings and individual flats and Building Emission Rate for buildings other than dwellings must not exceed the Target Emission Rate.
2) Installed building services should achieve a reasonable standard of energy efficiency.
3) Solar gains should be limited.
4) The performance of the building should be in line with the Dwelling Emission Rate. This includes air permeability testing and proper commissioning of all building services systems.
5) Provision should be made for energy efficient operation by issuing the building owner with information, in the form of a log book, enabling them to operate the building in such a way that uses no more fuel and power than is reasonable.
6) Limiting heat loss through the fabric of the building by stipulating the U-Values of the various building components, such external walls, internal walls, roof, glazing, doors etc

Question 6

What are DER, BER and TER measured in?

Answer 6

DER, BER and TER are expressed in kgCO2/m2 per year.

Question 7

What does DER stand for?

Answer 7

Dwelling Emission Rate

Question 8

What does BER stand for?

Answer 8

Building Emission Rate

Question 9

What does TER stand for?

Answer 9

Target Emission Rate

Question 10

What does SAP stand for?

Answer 10

Standard Assessment Procedure

Question 11

What does Building Regulations Part F cover?

Answer 11

Ventilation

Question 12

What does CHeSS stand for?

Answer 12

Central Heating System Specifications

Question 13

What is the purpose of CHeSS?

Answer 13

CHeSS gives recommendations for good and best practice for energy efficiency of domestic wet central heating systems.

Question 14

Name 3 types of water treatment should be considered

Answer 14

• Cleaning and flushing of the system before use
• Corrosion inhibition
• Softening of the water supply to combi boilers for hot water service in hard water areas.

Question 15

Is condensing or non-condensing more efficient?

Answer 15

Condensing

Question 16

What does SEDBUK stand for?

Answer 16

Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK

Question 17

What is the efficiency range under SEDBUK for and A rated appliance?

Answer 17

90% or above

Question 18

What is a time switch?

Answer 18

An electrical switch operated by a clock to control either space heating or hot water, or both together but not independently.

Question 19

What does TRV stand for?

Answer 19

Thermostatic radiator valve

Question 20

What is boiler interlock?

Answer 20

Boiler interlock is not a physical device but an arrangement of the system controls (room thermostats, programmable room thermostats, cylinder thermostats, programmers and time switches) that ensure that the boiler does not fire when there is no demand for heat.

Question 21

What is an automatic bypass valve?

Answer 21

An automatic bypass valve controls water flow in accordance with the water pressure across it, and is used to maintain a minimum flow rate through the boiler and to limit circulation pressure when alternative water circuits are closed.

Question 22

Name a high carbon energy source

Answer 22

Oil, gas, coal

Question 23

Name a low carbon energy source

Answer 23

Solar thermal
Biomass
Heat pumps
CHP/combined heat and power

Question 24

Name a zero carbon energy source

Answer 24

wind power
tidal movement
Hydro-electric power
Solar photovoltaic

Question 25

What does CHP stand for?

Answer 25

Combined heat and power

Question 26

Name an organisation that gives guidance and advice on energy saving and conservation techniques

Answer 26

Energy saving trust
Carbon trust
National energy foundation
Department for energy and climate change

Question 27

What is the role of the designer under energy conservation legislation?

Answer 27

They must ensure that the work complies with the applicable requirements of the Building Regulations.

Question 28

What is the role of the client/customer under energy conservation legislation?

Answer 28

The Building Regulations state that: ‘The building owner may also be responsible for ensuring that the work complies with the Building Regulations. If a building does not comply, the building owner may be served with an enforcement notice.’

Question 29

What 2 sections would be on the energy performance certificate?

Answer 29

Current energy efficiency rating and its potential energy rating once improvements have been made.

Question 30

What is an energy efficiency rating?

Answer 30

It is the overall efficiency of a domestic building in terms of energy use and CO2 emissions. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the building is.

Question 31

What does EPC stand for?

Answer 31

Energy Performance Certificate

Question 32

What is the purpose of an EPC?

Answer 32

EPC shows the current and potential energy rating of the building.

Question 33

What does SAP stand for?

Answer 33

Standard Assessment Procedure

Question 34

What is SAP?

Answer 34

This is the Governments recommended system for producing an energy efficiency rating.

Question 35

What is a customer handover?

Answer 35

At the end of the commissioning process, the customer should be given careful and precise instruction on how to operate and maintain the system, so that it continues to give optimum, energy efficient performance. This includes showing the customer.

Question 36

What is involved in the customer handover?

Answer 36

Explaining to the customer;
* The appliance, the controls and the thermostats
* How to make adjustments to the timing and temperature configurations
* What routine maintenance is required by the system, its appliance(s) and components to ensure maximum efficiency performance throughout the life of the system
* Explaining the need for annual routine boiler servicing and system checks. Give the customer a chance to ask questions and don’t forget to show them where the emergency isolation points – gas, water and electricity – are located and how to operate them.

Question 37

Name 2 measures we can take to make our plumbing practice “greener”

Answer 37

which produces CO2 emissions when it is used.
2. Introduce a waste reduction regime of working in line with the Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAPS), initiated by the UK Government to reduce waste materials.
3. Use off-site fabrication techniques when dealing with large or complex installations.
4. Plan the work activities to minimise material wastage. Adopt accurate measurement and cutting techniques for pipes and tubes.
5. Avoid over purchasing materials and fittings.
6. Keep a rigid check on material stocks by developing accurate store keeping. This can help reduce wastage, loss and theft.
7. Keep fragile materials in a safe environment to prevent breakage and damage.

Question 38

Name a way you can reduce waste

Answer 38

-Measure twice cut once
-keep a tidy workspace to avoid damages
-order the correct amount of materials for the job
-reuse offcuts
-recycle waste materials

Question 39

Name a benefit of effective waste reduction

Answer 39

-More cost effective
-Reduces CO2 emissions
-Help to conserve natural resources.
-Contribute to the compliance of Regulations.

Question 40

What does WRAP stand for?

Answer 40

Waste and Resources Action Plan

Question 41

What is the purpose of a WRAP?

Answer 41

Its aim is to reduce wastage in construction to 2008 levels, a reduction of 50% in the level of construction, demolition and excavation waste. This can be achieved by the 3R’s rule:
1. Reducing - minimising the amount of waste produced
2. Reusing - reusing items as many times as possible
3. Recycling - recycling what you can and dispose of what’s left in a responsible way.